INMAN, S.C. – As a familiar tune by Kool And The Gang appropriately rang throughout the auditorium, Chapman High School celebrated fifteen (15) student-athletes who signed to play a collegiate sport on Thursday morning.
Four members of the Region 3-3A championship football team will take to the gridiron at the next level, having won four straight region crowns in their time at Chapman. Lineman Abraham Fyffe was the first to put pen to paper, signing to become a member of the Erskine Flying Fleet. Fyffe has been a member of the varsity team for four seasons, serving as a three-year starter on the line. “I’d like to thank my parents for what they’ve done for me. I’d also like to thank Coach Watson for bringing out my potential, work ethic and never giving up on me, Coach Moss for always telling the truth, Coach Settle for always being there for me when I needed him, Coach Strickland for helping me cool off when I got too mad or getting me mad when I need it, and Coach Cab for always supporting me and having my back.” Defensive back Nigel Pate will head to Hickory, North Carolina to play at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Pate was also a three-year starter in the secondary for Chapman. While at Lenoir-Rhyne, he intends to study mass communications. “This opportunity would not be possible without my parents and the sacrifices they made so I could be here today. Thank you for always supporting me no matter what. Thank you to Coach Strickland for always pushing me to be my best, Coach Cab for always believing in me and never letting me doubt myself, Coach Gray for being such a big role model in my life, and to my teammates who have become family over the years. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.” Offensive lineman Jack Settle, who served as an anchor in the trenches for the Panthers, will join a Limestone University team coached by former NFL wide receiver Mike Furrey. The Saints finished with an 8-4 record in 2022, earning the first NCAA Division II playoff berth in the nine year history of the Saints program. “I’d like to thank my family for supporting me – especially my mom and dad – for always sticking by my side through everything and sacrificing so much for me to be happy. Thank you to my brother for always being by my side for my entire life and inspiring me to be my best self. Thank you to Coach Cab and Coach Dailey for giving me the chance to show my abilities on the field and Coach Watson for pushing me to be my best. Shoutout to Coach Fusaro, who has been around my entire life. I appreciate him always helping and giving me opportunities to succeed.” Kaden Thompson was also a key facet on the Panther defense in 2022, where he played multiple positions and finished as one of the leading tacklers on the campaign. Thompson will also be heading to North Carolina, where he will suit up for the Brevard College Tornados. “Shoutout to my mom for making sure that we had everything we needed growing up and raising me to be the man I am today. Thank you to my brother for inspiring me to follow in his footsteps and for being my biggest role model. Thank you to my sister for being there for me when I needed someone to talk to. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for pushing me to be good in the classroom and achieve all the goals I had.” The Chapman baseball team also saw four seniors commit to play at the collegiate level, with each of them choosing a school in a different region of the Palmetto State. Right-handed pitcher Jacob Cogdell will travel down Interstate 26 to join the Newberry College Wolves, where he will major in either sports medicine or computer science. “As I look to the future, I am reminded of the many blessings that have led up to this point. I’d like to thank my parents, who have always been there from the start. Thank you to the rest of my family and baseball coaches from over the years… and a big shoutout to Coach Fusaro, Settle, Moss, and all the Chapman coaches.” Infielder Jarren Metcalf is headed to Greenwood County, where he will become a Lander University Bearcat. While attending Lander, he plans on studying kinesiology. “I want to thank my mom and dad for everything they’ve taught me, which has shaped me into the young man I am today. Thank you to my sisters Macy and Reagan for being people I can count on, and the best role models a little brother can have. With my grandfather being the former head baseball coach and my dad having played here, it has been a huge blessing and honor to follow in their footsteps. One thing that comes with (Chapman baseball) is that the coaches not only teach you the game, but that you’re so much more than a baseball player.” Outfielder Cason Owens also put pen to paper and signed to play at the University of South Carolina-Sumter. “Thank you to my parents for all the hours you have put in driving me all over the country to play baseball. I would like to thank the rest of my family for supporting me and being at almost every game. Lastly, I want to thank all my coaches and teammates here at Chapman (because) y’all have made this an unforgettable experience.” Catcher Johann Rodriguez signed on the dotted line to play for the Charleston Southern University Buccaneers. He was also awarded the Keegan Johnson Memorial Scholarship, named in memory of a former Panther student-athlete who tragically passed away at the age of 17. “I’d like to start out by thanking my family for their unwavering love and support and sacrificing so much to help me achieve my goals. To my coaches and teammates, thank you for pushing me to be my best, and teaching me skills and strategies I need to succeed and for believing in me. I am grateful for the time and energy you’ve invested in me, and I will carry those lessons with me for the rest of my life.” Three members of the Chapman cross country/track and field program all put their names on the dotted line to compete collegiately. Polly Addington, Olivia Thornton, and Colby Wines will all be continuing their cross country and/or track and field careers at the next level. Addington and Thornton each chose Spartanburg Methodist College, for track and cross country, respectively. Wines will be competing in both cross country and track/field at Erskine. Addington plans to major in business management, while Thornton will pursue a degree in nursing. “I’m so excited to start this new journey in my life at Spartanburg Methodist College. I’d like to thank my parents who have believed in and supported me at every track meet. I’d like to thank my coaches who haven’t given up on me and pushed me to be a better person on and off the track.” “To my parents and family, thank you for supporting me in all ways, pushing me constantly, and for the endless prayers. I also couldn’t have done this without Coach Edwards and Coach Green encouraging me daily. I’m so grateful for this next chapter in my life and so thankful for I’ve spent at Chapman these last four years.” Wines will be competing in both cross country and track & field at Erskine College. “I’ve chosen to attend Erskine because I believe it’s the best place to prepare me for my life choices and goals. With the coach and team there, it is going to allow me to hit new levels in running that I’ve never even thought of. Thank you to my mother for coming to every single one of my races and always supporting me.” A pair of standouts for the Lady Panthers softball team also signed to play at the next level in Spartanburg County. Shortstop Sarah Byrd signed to play at Spartanburg Methodist College. Dating back to the 2022 season, Byrd is batting .452 with 13 doubles, eight triples, two home runs, 50 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Byrd intends to earn her associates in science degree while attending SMC. “I chose SMC because it was close to home, and I felt it was the right fit for me. I want to thank my parents, teammates, and travel ball coaches for helping me become the athlete I’ve become today and supporting me along this journey. I’d also like to thank Coach Green and Coach Tidd for always having confidence in me and being some of the best coaches that I’ve been coached by at Chapman.” Infielder Abby Gossett put pen to paper and signed with Wofford College, where she intends to major in biology and minor in Spanish on the pre-med track. She will also be part of the Terriers’ first softball team, which is set to begin play in the spring of 2024. Over the past two seasons, Gossett has a .490 batting average with 13 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, and 62 RBI. “As I was exploring colleges, I fell in love with Wofford because of the friendly environment and great education it provides. Thank you to my parents and the rest of my family for helping me get to every practice, lesson, camp, and tournament over the years. Thank you to Coach Green for all the time and effort you have poured into me, and to Coach Tidd for your willingness to stay after practice for extra reps and being there to support me since the travel ball days.” Senior golfer Olivia Ireland signed to play collegiately at Lee University. In her five years with the women’s golf team, she earned all-region honors five times, region player of the year twice, and three all-state awards. She also finished as runner-up in both the upper state and state tournaments this past season. Ireland plans on majoring in finance. “I chose Lee University because of the community and atmosphere there. I thought it was the best place for me to grow as an athlete, student, and a person. Thank you to my coaches, family, and teammates for always supporting and helping me get to where I am today.” Senior angler Rylan Green will also attend Erskine College, where he will be able to continue his fishing career at the next level. Among the highlights of his time with the Panther fishing team was competing in the Bassmaster Classic twice, which features only 10 teams from around the United States. Green intends to study biology with the hopes of entering the medical field. “Fishing has always been a passion of mine and I look forward to pursuing my dreams at the collegiate level. I’d like to thank my boat captain, Mark Bradley, who has treated me like a son for the last six years. He has not only taught me about fishing, but also some important life lessons. I’d also like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me through all my decisions and for being willing to drop anything for me at any time. I’d like to thank Jonathan Stafford from Lake Bowen Baptist for helping me in my walk with the Lord. I’d like to thank my friends, teachers, and past coaches everything you’ve done.” Comments are closed.
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